Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Process for developing interwell communication in a tar sand

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6554897
A process is described in which bituminous sand is contacted with ozone to render the bitumen partly water soluble and to create surface active agents in situ which promote oil-in-water emulsification and increase the water wettability of the sand. Bitumen can then be removed and recovered from the sand formation by flushing it with an aqueous solution. (3 claims) (Continuation-in-part of U.S. Appl. 79,346, f. 8/10/70)
Assignee:
Petrofina Canada Ltd
Patent Number(s):
US 3825066
OSTI ID:
6554897
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English